V-Al-C-N hard coatings with high carbon content were deposited by reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering using an experimental combinatorial approach, deposition from a segmented sputter target. The composition-dependent coexisting phases within the coating were analysed using the complementary methods of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption n...

This thesis concerns the materials science of carbon-based fullerene-like structures as a basis for the improvement of the applicability of FL-CNx protective thin films. In particular, structural origins of mechanical properties of FL-CNx coatings and water adsorption on their surface were investigated, both of which are critical parameters for their application as, e.g., computer hard disk pro...

The clinical success of osseointegrated dental implants depends on the strong attachment of the surrounding hard and soft tissues. Bacterial adhesion on implant surfaces can cause inflammatory reactions and may influence healing and long-term success of dental implants. Promising implant coatings should minimize bacterial adhesion, but allow epithelial and connective tissue attachment. Therefor...

Cyanoacrylates were commercially introduced in 1950 by Tennesee Eastman Company. Cyanoacrylate adhesives are monomeric adhesives. They are generally quick-setting materials which cure to clear, hard glassy resins, useful as sealants, coatings, and particularly adhesives for bonding together a variety of substrates [1]. Polymers of alkyl 2-cyanoacrylates are also known as superglues. In addition...

The thin film formation of magnetron sputtered polycrystalline coatings was monitored by in situ X-ray reflectivity measurements. The measured intensity was analyzed using the Parratt algorithm for time-dependent thin film systems. Guidelines for the on-line interpretation of the data were developed. For thick coatings, the experimental resolution needs to be included in the data evaluation in ...

This paper provides a review of the state of the art on the study of the fatigue behaviour of mechanical components coated with thin hard corrosion-resistant coatings such as the physically or chemically vapour deposited ones. Some references address the experimental characterization of the fatigue resistance of coated steel and light alloys. Some coatings have been observed to prove effective ...

Hydrogen free diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings have been the subject of investigation all around the world for the last 30 years. DLC, due to its unique properties such as: chemical inertness, high mechanical hardness, high electrical resistivity combined with a characteristics of a wide band semiconductor, is a very promising material for biomedical, mechanical and electrical applications. O...

The heterostructures of five monolayers B1-Ti x Zr1-x N(111), x = 1.0, 0.6, 0.4 and 0.0 (where B1 is a NaCl-type structure) with one monolayer of a Si3N4-like Si2N3 interfacial layer were investigated by means of first-principles quantum molecular dynamics and a structure optimization procedure using the Quantum ESPRESSO code. Slabs consisting of stoichiometric TiN and ZrN and random, as well a...